Visual Distortion After Vitrectomy & Cryo
Mike Tyner, OD
Rich Bauer wrote:
>
> It is now seven months since the surgery was performed, and
> my vision is 20/30 in pieces, but distorted. For example, if
> I look up at a building or a telephone pole, it will appear to
> bend or curve, rather than appear straight.
>
> Does anyone here know if this distortion is going to eventually
> go away or what is causing it ?
Glasses can do this, surgery can distort your perception of
"straight", and the vitreous and other structures can tug
and twist on the retina and distort straight lines.
If it hasn't changed since the surgery, that's good. You will
slowly adapt to it, but it won't likely go away.
If it has started recently, or if it changes, you should
tell your surgeon right away. You need to observe it for
changes using a quadrille pad or an "Amsler grid."
--
Mike Tyner, OD
drm...@bham.com
Donald Kocher
Rich Bauer wrote:
>
> On December 2, 1996 I experienced a retina detachment in my
> left eye. Vitrectomy, cryo, and laser procedures were done
> under general anesthesia to re-attach the retina. Within
> 2-3 weeks after the surgery, a mild cataract began to form.
>
> It is now seven months since the surgery was performed, and
> my vision is 20/30 in pieces, but distorted. For example, if
> I look up at a building or a telephone pole, it will appear to
> bend or curve, rather than appear straight.
>
> Does anyone here know if this distortion is going to eventually
> go away or what is causing it ?
>
> who has gone through a similar experience themselves.
>
> Rich Bauer
> ri...@critpath.org
I had a cryo treatment and a scleral buckle to repair a detached retina.
The procedure in general and the cryo in particular generates or
releases something into the vitreous that tries to form a scar-like
tissue. I have heard this referred to as cellophane maculopathy(sp?) or
epimacular membrane. I was told that if it is going to happen it will
take several months to develop. In my case about six or seven months.
If it tugs on the macula as mine does it causes straight lines to have a
wave in the middle. In my case only vertical lines are affected. They
say that sometimes it gets worse, sometimes it steys the same and
sometimes it goes away. Mine has been stable for over a year.
Medical opinion says ignore it unless it affects my quality of life?? I
have ignored it although I was alarmed when I first noticed it.
--
Don Kocher - koc...@cpcug.org
Capital PC Users Group = http://cpcug.org/
Mike Tyner, OD
Donald Kocher wrote:
>
> I had a cryo treatment and a scleral buckle to repair a detached retina.
> The procedure in general and the cryo in particular generates or
> releases something into the vitreous that tries to form a scar-like
> tissue. I have heard this referred to as cellophane maculopathy(sp?) or
> epimacular membrane. I was told that if it is going to happen it will
> take several months to develop. In my case about six or seven months.
>
> If it tugs on the macula as mine does it causes straight lines to have a
> wave in the middle. In my case only vertical lines are affected. They
> say that sometimes it gets worse, sometimes it steys the same and
> sometimes it goes away. Mine has been stable for over a year.
>
> Medical opinion says ignore it unless it affects my quality of life?? I
> have ignored it although I was alarmed when I first noticed it.
But you can't assume that new distortion is due to cellophane maculopathy.
Vitreous strands can organize and tug on the retina, and they shouldn't
be ignored because they can detach the retina in new locations.
It sounded like his distortion occurred at surgery and hasn't changed
and if he confirms this, it probably is neither cellophane or vitreous
traction.
Andy Domonkos
I wish my eyecare specialist would have mentioned the visual distortion of
lines as a sign of retinal tugging by the vitreous. I have had 3 laser ops
to repair peripheral retinal holes and was told what to lookout for except
the wavy lines.
You learn something new everyday in this group.
Andy
SMarren
It's common after a vitrectomy to develop cystoid macular edema, and I had
a patient who took several months to develop it. Suggest you see the
retinal specialist as this is treatable. These lists are great but they
don't substitute for a good look-see. \SMarren, OD
Mark Freedman
Andy Domonkos (domo...@erols.com) wrote:
: I wish my eyecare specialist would have mentioned the visual distortion of
: lines as a sign of retinal tugging by the vitreous. I have had 3 laser ops
: to repair peripheral retinal holes and was told what to lookout for except
: the wavy lines.
Don't feel too inadequate. Karin Rummell, a Toronto optometrist,
insisted that the measurable blind spot identified by the visual fields
test I had requested (subjective loss of peripheral visions) was "nothing
to worry about." Even after the detachment spread, and I eventually
diagnosed it myself and had it confirmed and treated, she continued to
trivialize the seriousness of a retinal detachment, claiming there was no
urgency to diagnosing and treating detachments. The Ontario College of
Optometrists agreed with Dr. Rummell.
So ignorance about serious eye problems isn't limited to laymen.
Michael Michael
My goodness, what are you doing speaking to an optometrist about
something like that. You should go rapidly to an opthalmologist for
anything about the medical part of the eye, in other words if it's the
eye itself and not if glasses or contacts fit correctly. When that
doctor sees it is the retina you will go on to a retina speciality
physician who will either do nothing do a laser or operate.
Mike